Vending machine



April 9, 1929. G. w. NELSON VENDING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1926 3 Shee'ts-Sheeil INVENTOR ATTO NEY` April 9, 1929. s. w. NELsoN VENDING MACHINE Filed June 28, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 )Lu/$1 2 lmvENToR April 9, 1929. G. w. NELSON VENDI NG MACHINE Filed June 28, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet n w .u n au man4aw zu wwwa. 1.,.

se vw MQW, INVENToR Patented Apr. 9, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE W. NELSON, F CLEVELAND. OHIO, ASSIGNOR T0 THE STEXVART MACHINE COMPANY, OF ELYRIA, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO; ARTHUR J. CURREN TRUS- TEE OF SAID THE STEWART MACHINE COMPANY, DEFUNCT.

VENDING MACHINE.

Application filed June 28,

My invention relates to vending machines and more particularly to that class of such machines which are adapted to be placed upon street corners, in hotels; railway stations, or other public places for mechanically vending newspapers7 magazines or other periodicals.

An object ot my invention is to provide a vending machine which will be simple and inexpen;-ive in construction, and simple and positive in its functions of vending the articles placed therein.

Alrnother object of my invention is to provide a machine ot this class with means to compensate for variation in the size ot the articles to be vended, so that perfection in operation will take place to deliver all the articles placed in the magazine ot' the inachine.

Alitother object of my invention is to notit'y a prospective purchaser when there are articles in the magazine of the machine to be tended, and to warn the purchaser whenever the nuigazine ot the vending machine has no articles remaining therein to be vended.

itnother object of my invention is to provide an improved vending machine, trom the magazine ot which, the articles can not be removed unless the proper number of the proper kind ot' coins are inserted therein, or unless an authorized person unlocks the ,'ending machine so as to enable him to replenish the exhausted supply of articles, and to remove the coins inserted therein.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vending machine which will not permit an article to be withdrawn therefrom until the coin which is inserted has finally reached a receptacle provided for the same.

Another object ot my invention is to provide a machine of the class stated which is durable in construction, inexpensive to nrnurtacture, and which is substantially theftproof.

Another object of my invention is to provide a vending machine with means to prevent such rapid return ot the mechanism to normal position which would create undue noise, eft'ect undue wear and tear upon the parts ot' the machine.

Th above and other objects of my invention will be apparent trom the following de- 1926. Serial No. 119,620.

scription and drawings wherein one embodiment of my invention is illustrated.

Fig. l shows a front elevation of my vending machine;

Fig. 2 shows a side elevation ot the same;

Fig. 3 shows a similar view to Fig. 2 showing the closure partly in open position;

Fig. l shows a fragmentary side elevation with the closure open to the limit;

5 shows a vertical section on the line C--C ot Fig. looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 6 shows a vertical section on the line A-A of Fig. 1 looking in the direction ot' the arrows;

Fig. 7 shows a transverse section on the line B-B of Fig. 6 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

Fig. 8 shows a perspective view of the article shelf.

Referring more particularly to the drawings I have provided preferably, a sheet metal rectangular container l held together in any suitable manner by rivets and screws 1.7; and having the front wall 10() of the container extending upward and cut away at 101 adjacent to the hinges 2 lor each access to the interior ot the, container when a closure 8 is in the position shown in Figs. l and 2. The said walls of the container 1 are, bent around at each side ot the opening to form flanges which extend a short distance across the space above where the hinges 2 are secured to the front wall. Hinged at. 2. to the container 1` is a closure 3 preterabl;T made of sheet metal and adapted to cover the cut away portion of the YFront 7all above the hinges7 and the top of the container. The front wall of the closure is provided with an opening 4 forming a window therein, and having preferably a pane of glass 5 .secured in the same in any suitable manner. .rhircbv the prospective purchaser i s enabled to know at a glance whether there remains any article in the vending machine to be sold.

The rear wall 71 ot the container 1 is provided with fastening means adapted to he secured to a supporting stand of any suitable type located in a convenient public place.

The container 1 is locked in an;7 suitable manner. pre terably by means of a lock bolt and keeper plate generally shown at 102,

earried by the closure whieh engages a keeper plate Secured to the rear Wall 71 ot the container.

The hinged elosure 3 ear-ries a pair ot lugs 8, adjacent the hinges 2, and eonneeted to a pair oli' arms S) provided with slots lll to limit the downward swing of the elosure 8, ou its hinges, The inner ends4 ot' the arnis l() are seeured in a manner whieh will be dersieribed more lully in another part this speeili fation. The top of the closure 3 extends beyond the rear wall T1 ot the eouA tainer and downwardly to forni a ilange 11 whieh extends over the rear wall olf the Container l to prevent rain or the like Atrom entering the rear ot the eontainer. The closure 3 is triangular shaped and composed ot' sheet metal parts which are seein-ed tol gether by rivets or in any other suitable manner.

The vending machine apable of being operated by any l!)redetermined numlgier or kinds of Coins. Coin slot G is provided in the side otl the eontainer 1 and the elosure 3 is provided with a eoin :slot 7 whieh ree' ters with the eoin slot 6 in the container 1 when the elosure 3 is n elosed position.

()ne ot the tlane'es 2Q, heretofore re'evel to, adjaeent the coin controlledy meehanism is eut away at llt) to permit the eoin eimtrolled meehaniam to be adjusted t'or vari ous kinds and numbers ot eoins. when the elosure is swung into the position illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

A signal is provided to indieate when all the artieles are exhausted trom the maehine, and this indi vatting' means will be more fully described in the speciieation following.

Pivoted at 12 on the right hand side ot' the Container 1 is an operatingr handle l. Suitable `guide members` Ll are disposed adjaeent to the outer end ot' the handle lefand adapted to guide the handle 18 on its pivot to limit the upward and downward movement o't' the same by means of a pair ot stops 15 and 15. The outer end otl the handle 13 is bent at substantially fright angles upon itself to form a linger gripiiing portion 123A adjaeent the eoin slots 6 and 7.

lt will be seen that when a eoin is inserted into the slot (5, and pressure is applied tothe handle in a downvard direetion by the purehaser grippingr portion 16 ot the handlen the handle 13 will swing on its pivot 12 the eomplete downward swing' ot the handle, will Vend an artiele at the opening' 86 at the bottom ot the Container 1` adjaeent the eutavay portion of the tront wall, whieli will be more fully described in the suereeding portions of this speeitieation.

Disposed on the inside ot the eontaiuer l i (Figi. G) on a pivot eeeentrie to the pivot ot the handle 13 and preferably substantiallgY parallel thereto is the, normally locked coin controlled operating lever 19'provided with linl; Qtl pivoled lo itsI end at Q1. The link l is detaehably Ylastened by means ol' a teh '.25 to a pin 2:2 earried b v the eoin eolitrol meel adisni, 'lhe eoii eenlrol meehanism 22E is assembled in in; eliaunel frame 2l ord eoniprmngf an entire unit held in de- -ible eiirige11itf1il on alle inner side et' the nel traine :l ot

upon a .ate operative po- 27 audA retained in nef a lait 52S? earriefl the eoin efiotrol atop jin 2&3 a'rid is ieuided sition by the guide luesy this pofition bj er1- by the tlfinfe irl et' the eorjfiiner.

fr eoin ehunoel ill is displasia@ in alignment with the eoin ehute -nitrol merli"- tion in a 1y :"uitizlvle manner, praten-ably bv means ot lues 2T :1rd 27 and eut {.utipoi1N tiene',y in thd eli; noel traine L) The ahoi'e referred to ooin rontrol ineehanism is deseril-,ed in detail embodied in my rfi-pending applieatiou Covering the eoiii eontrol ineehaaiisin tiled eoneurrentlv with this applieatiou. i'

The eoin eoutrolled operating lever 1l) is returned to normal loelwd pt the stop pin 3U hy prete rdv a eoil sprine' 3l whieli is provided with feeurine' at 32, to the side wall. et the eintainer. sprine; is hooked a, i* 1l) adjaeent the outer eral thermzrl. vent the eprint" 3l trein retirnii the 19 ard fzaiipirgf it est the, l i top pio Iltl. thereby ea'esi l urmeesf-f'irv noise and possible dainaee to the maehinei. a dash pot 3.3 in preferably providedn i The indi-leal portion Ail the dash pol ll is pivotefl :it one end to lle upper portion ot the eonlaiuer al 35i tion fief hel toi-ined the"ein a restrietod open.-

ltl and is adapted to reeeive :i piston BG nvoted to the rein eontrolled lever 19 and seein-ed thiferiftey bv a lateh 35% earried hv the eoin eontrelled loyer 10 to prevent aeeidiental det'aehment ol" the saine. This pistou however may he delai-hed troni eonueelion with the eoin eoutrolled lever 19 when desired.

,"xdiaeent to the pirot end ot the eoin eontrelled lever lll i# :1 headed nip S9 adapted to slidably retain the linl 40, operiit'iuir in its slot 41 The lower Aextremity ot the lower link Lltl pivoted lo one of the artiele delivery levers 4Q 11143. 'lliere a re provided a pair ot the artiee deliver" levers li? at eaeh ,side ot the eer-tante"A one end ot the lever Ll? is leeured to a, shalt 44 iournaled in the side wall oi" the eontaineu rl`he opposite end ot' the levers lf2 enea e i vertieallv dis-- poeed link 45 whieh ,supports a earriage lo earrvine' preferably a serielj fotV downwardly :ou a en i ost lll() llt) pivoted prongs 47 iu their sockets 48, which engage the article to be vended. The carriage 46 is forced inwardly by the action of a resilient plate S9, and is adapted to slide up and down in trackways formed by flanged members 49 secured to the lower side walls of the container 1 the flanges formed being parallel to the front wall of the container. 'l'he inner surface ot' the container l forms the opposite portion of the trackway.

djustably carried over a pivot 50, adjacent to the bottom wall 51 of the container 1. is arrangeiil the articles supporting shelf 52. The shelf 52 carries depending lugs 53 provided with pins 5l which engage the forked portions of the bifurcated levers keyed to the shaft 5t). The article supportingshelf 52 is inclined downwardly towards the front end of the container and provided with depending ianges 5G and 57. The flanges 57 (Fig. S) have a series of downwardly extending slits 91 cut therein in alignment with and below the normal position of the prongs 47, to enable the prongs 7 to partially penetrate the article when the carriage 4G is depressed and to provide for the free return of the carriage and prongs in the upward travel of the same. The forward flange also forms a portion of the trackway, in connection with the flanges A-19 in alignment with them, to guide the carriage 4G in its downward travel when delivering an article. Preferably four slotted pins 58, are Asecured in the side walls of the container, the rear pairs of pins arranged above the forward pair, and all are adapted to receive the ends of the shelf 52 in the slots, to guide the shelf 52 in its horizontal shifting movement. The shelf 52 is shifted b v the action of an adjusting lever 59 (Fig. 5) keyed to the same shaft with the bifurcat'ed "levers 'l`he upper end of the adjusting le ver 59 terminates in a pointed spring finger (il). preferably riveted thereto and provided with a handle G1 which extends through the linger portion G() and terminates in a pointed lng which adapted to snap into any one of the series of arcuately arranged depressions (32 in the left hand side wall of the container. by the spring action of the pointed linger (it) of the adjusting lever 59. Secured adjacent and substantially parallel to the depression G2 is segmental bar G3 provided with Asuitable graduations 6l on its side, facing the pointed spring linger 6() of the adjusting lever 59. In this manner the shellc 52 may be tilted to the desired angle depending upon the thickness of the article to be vended, by shitting the pointer (30 along the segment (33, to render more efficient operation of the article feeding mechanism.

'lhe levers 42 are returned to normal position raising the carriage 4G to the position shown in Fig. (l of the drawing, by the action of the coil spring G5 which is secured to the inner wall of the container at its upper end, and connected to one of the levers 12 at its lower end, through a wire link (S6 fastened to one of the levers 42 substantially at the center thereof, adjacent the link Lt() and parallel thereto. To prevent the wire link GG from striking the link lo, due to the angular relation of the lever 19 to l2. when the liandle 13 is depressed, a mail coil spring G7 is provided and hooked to the coil spring G5 at 68, and secured al its lover rnd to a slet G9 in the lever 19. and disposed at such an angle to cause the wire link 66 to be pulled away from the link -tt). when the levers 19 and 42 are forced downwardly by the handle 13.

Arranged substantially parallel to the shelf 52 are pair of rods 70 extending downwardly from the rear wall 71 of the container and supported at their forward ends by the flanges 49. Slidably mounted on the rods 79 a bar 72 having its ends turned 'upwardly to form flanges thereon provided with pins 753 to engage the slots 7l in the vertical levers 75. The forward side of the bar 72 is bent downwardly to the upper portion of the trackway for the carriage 19. .Disposed on the forward side of the bar 72, secured to the flange 88, is the follower plate 7G which is adapted to push the articles to be vended in a forward direction at all times by the action of the springs 77 on the follower levers 75. The follower levers are pivoted at 78 to the side walls of the container 1 and are provided with a series of openings 79 arranged one above the other, and above the pivot 78, to receive one end of the springs in any one of the tension adjusting positions desired. The rear end of the coil springs are secured at tl() to the rear walls 71 of the container. rM-coldngly the tension of the springs 77 always exerts a pull which swings the follower lever 75 on its pivot 78 to continually force the bar 72 and its follower 7G forwardly against the rear- `most. article so that the article to be vended is next engaged by the prongs t7 in the carriage 4G.

Riveted to the upper end of the follower levers 75 are headed lugs 81 which are adapt ed to slidably retain the arms 9 by the slots 82 provided therein. in any one of the adjusted positions of the levers 9, heretofore referred to.

Disposed substantially parallel to the rods 7() and located above the same`r are a pair of similar rods 823 secured at each of their ends in the front and rear walls of the container and adapted to support a co'n collect-- ing receptacle Bt. in the forward part of the container and adjacent to the coin chute 535 which delivers the coins into the receptacle from the coin control mechanism 2?). The pairs of rods 7() and 83 also form additional reenforeement for the walls of the contaner.

Having now described the various parts of my vending machine the operation ot which will new be described Assuming the machine and the 'arious partsy to he in the position shown in Figs. 1, 2. 5 and (l. A supply ot articles are now placed in the container 1 in the following manner. 'lhe closnre l is unlocked and swung downwz'zrdly to the limit ot its pivot, liest shown in ltig. #l ot the d a\vings, and pulling the arm t) downwardly. The upper ends ot the slots S52 in the arms 9 strike the he; ded lugs S1 on the upper end of the tollower levers 75 which swings the follower lever T5 on the pivots T8. against the tension of the springs 77, sliding the bar 72 to the rear of its travel on the rod 70, carrying with it the follower levers. A series of articles i re now placed on the shelf 52 and the spring linger tl() ot the adjusting lever 5t) is moved along the segment (33 to tilt the shelt 52 a `orefletermined degree. depending upon the thickness of the articles to he vended.

The closure fl is now swung hack and locked to the container V1. lVhen an article is desired hy a purchaser he inserts the proper coin or coins through the slots (l, 7 and 99 into the coin control mechanism The handle 13 is now depressed downward agiiinst tlr` stop pin and downwardly swings with it the coin controlled level' 1t), against the tension of the spring 3l which in turn pulls the arm secured to the coin control mechanism at 22. in a downward direction ausing the actuation ot the coin control mechanism 2?) and permitting coinplcte tree actuation ot the coin controlled ltr-fr 1i). and delivering the coin through the chute R5 to the receptacle 84. After the coin contre! lever 'ttl has traveled downwardly approxinmtely the length of the slot 41 of the link 4t) the lug' llt) strikes the link forcing the same downwardly which in sequence starts the article delivering level' Ll2 in its downward movement against the tension of the spring forcing the carriage t6 downwai-dl;7 in its tracliway through the agency ot' tlse li nhy The prongs `t7. carried lnv the carriage. engaging the article to he delivered forces the same through the opening 96 in the hottom ot' the container. 'lhe article is then withdrawn through the opening 8G by the operator gripping the same, at the cntont portion 87 in the t'ront wall of the container.

'lhc return action et the handle lil and levers 19 and #l2 is automatic hy the act-ion ot the f--1prings ll and (l5. its heretotore st ated the return to normal posfition ot the machine is rendered noiseless through the action o'ti the dash pot Iii/l which dampens the return of the levers hy the piston 86 sliding into the cylinder and torcingthe air through the restricted opening 1S. The machine 1s thus' distance where they engage the lugs 8l on follower levers and wll rest` in that position, additional pressure on the closure l being necessary to swng the follower levers on their pivots again at the tension otl the springs 77.

Tilhen the articles in the container are exhausted the follower 7G takes, the position to the rar of the window and has printed thereon the words Sold out or similar words to indicate that, there remain no articles in the apparatus to he vended.

lVhile 1 have shown and described certain features as constituting my invention it'y will he understood that parts have heen shown tor purposes ot' illustration only. and that l do not' desire to he limited to such details, as obvious modilicatiims vill occur to a person skilled in the art.

lla ving thus tully described my invention, what l claim as new and desire to secure hy Letters Patent, iszl. ln a` vending machine adapted to vend tlat articles, the combination with an articleholding magazine. slot tor the egress of the vended articles disposed in a hottom wall ot the magazine adjacent an edge thereof, means to exert' a corr-tant pressure against, the articles to he vended to press them to that side of the magazine wherehy a lower edge ot the most` torwardl)v disposed one of said articles will he pircilioned ahove and adjacent thc said elet. and dcliver7 mechanism itor trict'ionally engaging the Yforward tace ot the most imwvardly disposed article adapted to he reciprocatml in n suhstantially vertical plane trom the exterior ot the magie Zine when it is desired to vend such article, said pressure means comprising a pressure plate. parallel guides tor vthe pressure plate disposed near the lfottom ot the magazine laterally ot the plate and substantially parallel to the hottom wall ot the compartment, a cover for the nr aine, and means operaA tive responsive to the opening movement of the cover to move the plate trom a more torvard position to t'nlly retracted josition.

2. In a vending machine tor vending printed publications, the comhination with a sheet metal casing, said easing comprising a hinged cover. mechanif'm adapted to vertic: lly displace the moat 'forward one ot the publications to he vended through aI longitudinal slot in the hottom Vall o't the casing, pressure plate adapted to he disposed to the rea'r otra ph'iral'ity ot'said publications placed in the casing', parallel guiding lOl) supports for the pressure plate disposed laterally at either side thereof, said plate being journalled on said supports for forward reciprocatory movement, and spring,` actuated levers disposed laterally o t the pressure plate l'or resiliently applying; a forwardly directed etl'ort to the plate adjacent the plate journals.

El. In a vendii'ig' machine for vending printed publications, the combination with a sheet metal casing, said casing; comprisingi a hinged cover, mechanism adapted to vel'- tically displace the most Jforward one of the publications to be vended through a longitudinal slot in the betteln wall of the casing, a press-:ure plate adapted to be disposed to the rear oly a plurality oll said publicatitms placed in the casing, parallel guiding supports tor the pressure plate disposed laterally at either side thercol', said plate being journalled on said supports for forward reciproratory movement, and spi-iupY actuated levers disposed laterall \r oll the pressure plate t'or resiliently applyingy a 'torwardly directed ellort to the plate adjacent the plate journals, and means joining the cover and levers adapted when the cover is swung` to open position to move the leversl in such a direction as Yto retract the pressure plate lor the reception ot an additional supply of publications to be vended.

l. ln a vending` machine tor vendingf printed publications, the combination with a dieet metal casing, said casing' coulprisinp` a hinged cover, mechanism adapted to vertically displace the most forward one of the publications to be vended through a lon; 'i tudnal slot in the bottom wall ol the casing, a pressure plate adapted to be disposed to the rear ot' a plurality of said publications placed in the casing, parallel guiding supports tor the pressure plate disposed laterally at either side thereof, said plate being journalled on said supports for forward reciprocatory movement, and spring actuated levers disposed laterally of the pressure plate for resiliently applying a forwardly directed effort to the plate adjacent the plate journals, and means joining the cover and levers adapted when the cover is swung to open position to move the levers in such a direction as to retract the pressure plate for the reception ot an additional supply ot' publications to be vended, the bottom wall of the casing beiner down 'ardly inclined towards its liront and said guides beiner disposed substantially parallel to the bottom vall.

In a vending machine adapted to vend such articles as newspapers and the like, the col'nbination with a sheet metal casing;` having a hinged top wall, of an article supporting platform for the casing comprising` a Jforwardly disposed portion adapted to slide Vforwardly and rearwardly, guides Vl'or the said platform supported by the side walls, a rock bar disposed between the platform and the bottom wall and extel'lding trans- \ersely ot the casing' adapted to reciprocate the platit'orm forwardly and rearwardly according to the degree ot rotation of said bar, said bottom wall havinga transversely extendiner slot in its forward portion through which articles to be vended may downwardly pass, said platform when moved rearwardlv adapted to uncover the slot so as to provide an egress opening for the articles ol varving` widths according to the degree of rearward movement oli the i'ilatform, and means to rock the bar a predetermined desired amount according,r to the thickness ol the articlesA to be vended.

In testimony whereot' I hereunto allix my signature this 25th day of June, 1926.

GEORGE W. NELSON. 

